Introduction

The term ‘Plastic Surgery’ used for the superspeciality was introduced by Von Graefe and is derived from the Greek work "plastikos" which means ‘fit for moulding’.

Sir Harold Gillies is considered the ‘Father’ of modern Plastic Surgery. However the earliest plastic surgery procedures in the Before Christ era were performed in India. They were recorded in the writings of Sushruta and published in Sushruta Samhita.

Plastic Surgery consists of two main sub specialities -Reconstructive and Aesthetic. Reconstructive surgery restores the function and form of tissues which are deformed while Aesthetic surgery attempts to improve the appearance of normal structures.

In Goa Medical College, an independent Department of Plastic Surgery was created in December 2015. However a Plastic Surgery Unit has been in existence since 2006 under the aegis of the Department of Surgery. The Plastic Surgery services were expanded in 2016 with a 12 bedded ward which manages patients requiring reconstructive and aesthetic surgical care. On April 20th this year, a well-equipped state of the art intensive care Burns Unit for management of critical and severely burned patients was commissioned. The Department provides consultation in the outpatient section No. 5 on Monday and Thursday and also handles inpatients and emergency cases requiring plastic surgical management. It is staffed with a full time Professor, an Honorary Consultant, 2 Assistant Professor, 5 Assistant Lecturers, 3 Senior Residents and 2 Junior Residents.